Sanitary washing device

ABSTRACT

According to one embodiment, a sanitary washing device includes a main part and a sensor. The main part includes a nozzle and a flow channel switching unit. The flow channel switching unit includes a motor and switches a flow channel of water flowing toward the nozzle by an operation of the motor. The sensor is provided in an interior of the main part and includes a transmitter/receiver and a controller. The transmitter/receiver radiates a radio wave and receives the radio wave reflected by an user. The controller determines a state of the user based on the radio wave received by the transmitter/receiver and outputs a signal relating to a determination result. The main part controls an operation of the flow channel switching unit and the nozzle based on the signal. The nozzle is positioned between the sensor and the motor in a width direction of the nozzle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromJapanese Patent Application No. 2017-110391, filed on Jun. 2, 2017; theentire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a sanitary washingdevice.

BACKGROUND

A sanitary washing device that includes a radio wave sensor detecting auser is known. For example, the entrance of the user into a toilet room,the exit of the user from the toilet room, the user standing in front ofan open toilet seat (e.g., the user performing standing urination),etc., can be detected by the radio wave sensor.

The sanitary washing device can execute functions of the sanitarywashing device based on the detection result of the radio wave sensor.For example, when the sanitary washing device detects the user enteringthe toilet room and approaching the toilet, the sanitary washing deviceautomatically opens the toilet lid. Also, for example, when the sanitarywashing device detects that the user has finished standing urination andhas moved away from the toilet, the sanitary washing deviceautomatically closes the toilet seat and/or the toilet lid,automatically flushes the toilet, etc.

For example, a radio wave transmitter/receiver and a controller that isconnected to the radio wave transmitter/receiver are provided in such aradio wave sensor. The radio wave transmitter/receiver radiates a radiowave for detecting an object to be detected (the user) and receives thereflected wave of the radio wave. The controller determines the state ofthe object to be detected based on the reflected wave received by theradio wave transmitter/receiver and outputs, to the main part of thesanitary washing device, a signal relating to the determination result.The sanitary washing device can execute the start or the end of thefunctions of the sanitary washing device based on the signal.

There is a risk that the detection accuracy of the radio wave sensor maydecrease such as when a misdetection occurs due to electromagnetic noisefrom an electrical circuit in the interior of the sanitary washingdevice or due to electromagnetic noise from an electronic device outsidethe sanitary washing device, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a toilet device in which asanitary washing device according to the embodiment is provided;

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a part of the sanitary washing deviceaccording to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the radio wavesensor according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating a part of the sanitary washing deviceaccording to the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a part of the sanitarywashing device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are plan views illustrating a part of the sanitarywashing device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a part of the sanitarywashing device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional views illustrating the sanitary washingdevice according to the embodiment; and

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional views illustrating the sanitary washingdevice according to the embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A first invention is a sanitary washing device including a main part anda radio wave sensor, wherein the main part includes a first nozzle and aflow channel switching unit; the first nozzle discharges water toward ahuman private part; the flow channel switching unit includes a motor andswitches a flow channel of water flowing toward the first nozzle by anoperation of the motor; the radio wave sensor is provided in an interiorof the main part and uses a radio wave to detect a user in front of themain part; the radio wave sensor includes a radio wavetransmitter/receiver and a controller; the radio wavetransmitter/receiver radiates the radio wave and receives the radio wavereflected by the user; the controller determines a state of the userbased on the radio wave received by the radio wave transmitter/receiverand outputs, to the main part, a signal relating to a determinationresult; the main part controls an operation of the flow channelswitching unit and the first nozzle based on the signal; and the firstnozzle is positioned between the radio wave sensor and the motor in awidth direction of the first nozzle.

According to the sanitary washing device, electromagnetic noise that isgenerated by the motor operating inside the main part is reflected bythe first nozzle and/or the water inside the first nozzle. Thereby, theelectromagnetic noise from the motor reaching the radio wave sensor issuppressed; and the decrease of the detection accuracy can besuppressed.

A second invention is the sanitary washing device of the firstinvention, wherein the main part further includes a second nozzledischarging water into a bowl of a toilet; the main part is mounted tothe toilet; the flow channel switching unit is configured to switchbetween a state in which water flows toward the first nozzle and a statein which water flows toward the second nozzle by an operation of themotor; and the flow channel switching unit switches to the state inwhich water flows toward the second nozzle in a state in which the firstnozzle is stored in the main part.

According to the sanitary washing device, the electromagnetic noise thatis generated by the motor operating inside the main part is reflected bythe first nozzle and/or the water inside the first nozzle. Thereby, theelectromagnetic wave from the motor reaching the radio wave sensor issuppressed; the misdetection due to the electromagnetic noise issuppressed; and the decrease of the detection accuracy can besuppressed.

A third invention is the sanitary washing device of the first or secondinvention, wherein at least a part of the radio wave sensor ispositioned higher than a part of the first nozzle; and at least a partof the motor is positioned lower than the part of the first nozzle.

According to the sanitary washing device, the electromagnetic wave fromthe motor reaching the radio wave sensor can be suppressed not only inthe width direction of the main part but also in the height direction ofthe main part. Thereby, the effects of misdetection due to theelectromagnetic noise, etc., can be suppressed further.

A fourth invention is the sanitary washing device of any one of thefirst to third inventions, wherein the main part further includes afirst nozzle hose connected to the first nozzle; the first nozzle hosesupplies water to the first nozzle; at least a part of the first nozzlehose is positioned at a rear of the first nozzle; and the at least apart of the first nozzle hose is positioned between the radio wavesensor and the motor in a state in which the first nozzle is advancedfrontward from the main part.

According to the sanitary washing device, even in the state in which thefirst nozzle is advanced frontward from the main part, theelectromagnetic wave from the motor reaching the radio wave sensor canbe suppressed by the water existing inside the first nozzle hose.Thereby, the effects of misdetection due to the electromagnetic noise,etc., can be suppressed further.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to thedrawings. Similar components in the drawings are marked with the samereference numerals; and a detailed description is omitted asappropriate.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a toilet device in which asanitary washing device according to the embodiment is provided.

The toilet device 200 includes the sanitary washing device 100 accordingto the embodiment and a western-style sit-down toilet (hereinbelow,called simply the “toilet”) 150. The sanitary washing device 100 ismounted on the toilet 150.

The sanitary washing device 100 includes a toilet seat 10, a toilet lid15, and a main part 20. The main part 20 is provided at the rear of thetoilet seat 10 and the toilet lid 15. The toilet seat 10 and the toiletlid 15 each are pivotally supported to be rotatable with respect to themain part 20. FIG. 1 shows the state in which the toilet seat 10 isclosed (the lowered state) and the state in which the toilet lid 15 isopen (the raised state).

In the description of this specification, the directions of “up,”“down,” “front,” “rear,” “right,” “left,” etc., are used. Thesedirections are directions when viewed by a user seated on the toiletseat 10 in the closed state.

The main part 20 includes a casing 21 (a housing) and includes, in theinterior of the casing 21, a private part washing function of washing aprivate part (e.g., the “bottom,” etc.) of the user, a drying functionof drying a private part of the user by blowing warm air, an electricopening/closing function of using electric power to open and close thetoilet seat 10 and the toilet lid 15, etc.

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a part of the sanitary washing deviceaccording to the embodiment.

FIG. 2 schematically shows the interior of the casing 21 of the mainpart 20. The toilet seat 10 is shown by the broken line. As shown inFIG. 2, a warm water heater 30, a control circuit 32, a first nozzle 34,a second nozzle 36, a flow channel switching unit 38, an air supply unit40, a toilet seat opening/closing part 50, a toilet lid opening/closingpart 60, a radio wave sensor 70, etc., are provided in the interior ofthe main part 20.

The control circuit 32 includes a microcomputer, etc. The controlcircuit 32 controls the operations of a solenoid valve 23, the warmwater heater 30, the flow channel switching unit 38, the air supply unit40, the toilet seat opening/closing part 50, the toilet lidopening/closing part 60, etc., based on signals from the radio wavesensor 70, a remote control (not illustrated), etc.

Water is supplied to the main part 20 via a water supply part 22 from awater supply pipe 13 connected to a service water line, a water storagetank, etc. The solenoid valve 23 is provided on the downstream side ofthe water supply part 22. The solenoid valve 23 switches between watershutoff and water supply downstream of the solenoid valve 23 based on asignal from the control circuit 32.

The warm water heater 30 is provided downstream of the solenoid valve23. The warm water heater 30 heats the supplied water and converts thesupplied water into warm water. The warm water heater 30 is, forexample, an instantaneously-heating (instantaneous-type) heat exchangerthat uses a ceramic heater, etc. A stored-hot-water heat exchanger thatuses a hot water storage tank may be used.

The flow channel switching unit 38 is provided downstream of the warmwater heater 30. The flow channel switching unit 38 performs theswitching and the opening and closing of the flow channels of waterflowing toward the first nozzle 34, the second nozzle 36, and a nozzlewash chamber 39. In the example, the flow channel switching unit 38functions also as a flow regulation unit that adjusts the flow ratedownstream of the flow channel switching unit 38. However, the flowchannel switching unit and the flow rate switch unit may be providedseparately.

The first nozzle 34, the nozzle wash chamber 39, and the second nozzle36 are provided downstream of the flow channel switching unit 38.

The first nozzle 34 receives a force due to a motor, water pressure, orthe like, can advance into a bowl 151 of the toilet 150, and can retractinto the interior of the casing 21. That is, the first nozzle 34 canadvance and retract based on a signal from the control circuit 32.

Multiple water discharge ports 34 e (referring to FIG. 6B) are providedin the tip of the first nozzle 34. The multiple water discharge ports 34e include a bottom wash water discharge port used for a bottom wash, abidet wash water discharge port used for a bidet wash, etc. Multipleflow channels (a bottom wash flow channel and a bidet wash flow channel)that guide the water to the multiple water discharge ports 34 e areprovided downstream of the flow channel switching unit 38.

The first nozzle 34 in the state of being advanced from the casing 21can wash a private part (e.g., the “bottom,” etc.) of the user seated onthe toilet seat 10 by discharging, from one of the water discharge ports34 e, the water supplied from the flow channel switching unit 38. Thewater discharge port 34 e that performs the water discharge is switchedby the flow channel switching unit 38 switching the flow channel. Forexample, the water is discharged from the bottom wash water dischargeport by the flow channel switching unit 38 switching the flow channel tothe bottom wash flow channel; and the water is discharged from the bidetwash water discharge port by the flow channel switching unit 38switching the flow channel to the bidet wash flow channel.

Also, a flow channel (a surface cleaning flow channel) that guides thewater to the nozzle wash chamber 39 is provided downstream of the flowchannel switching unit 38. The water is supplied to the nozzle washchamber 39 by the flow channel switching unit 38 switching the flowchannel to the surface cleaning flow channel. The nozzle wash chamber 39washes the outer circumferential surface (the central body) of the firstnozzle 34 by spraying water from a water discharger provided in theinterior of the nozzle wash chamber 39.

Also, a flow channel (a spray flow channel) that guides the water to thesecond nozzle 36 is provided downstream of the flow channel switchingunit 38. The water is supplied to the second nozzle 36 by the flowchannel switching unit 38 switching the flow channel to the spray flowchannel. The second nozzle 36 discharges the supplied water in amist-like form toward the interior of the bowl 151 of the toilet 150.

The toilet seat opening/closing part 50 includes a rotation shaft 51that pivotally supports the toilet seat 10. Also, a mechanism (a motor,a gear, etc.) that engages the rotation shaft 51 is provided in theinterior of the toilet seat opening/closing part 50. The motor that isin the interior of the toilet seat opening/closing part 50 can open andclose the toilet seat 10 by operating based on a signal from the controlcircuit 32.

Similarly, the toilet lid opening/closing part 60 includes a rotationshaft 61 that pivotally supports the toilet lid 15. Also, a mechanism (amotor, a gear, etc.) that engages the rotation shaft 61 is provided inthe interior of the toilet lid opening/closing part 60. The motor thatis in the interior of the toilet lid opening/closing part 60 can openand close the toilet lid 15 by operating based on a signal from thecontrol circuit 32.

A fan and/or a heater is provided in the interior of the air supply unit40. The fan blows air onto a private part of the user seated on thetoilet seat 10. The heater warms the air forced through the interior ofthe air supply unit 40 by the fan. Thereby, warm air can be blown towardthe private part of the user.

A metal member 10 a (referring to FIG. 1 or the like) is provided in theinterior of the toilet seat 10 as a heater for warming the seatingsurface. The metal member 10 a is provided along the periphery of theopening of the toilet seat. When the user is seated on the toilet seat10, the toilet seat 10 is warmed by providing a flow of current to themetal member 10 a. For example, a tubing heater, a sheathed heater, ahalogen heater, a carbon heater, or the like is used as the heaterprovided in the toilet seat 10. The metal member 10 a includes, forexample, aluminum, copper, etc. Various configurations such as a sheetconfiguration, a wire configuration, a mesh configuration, etc., may beemployed as the configuration of the metal member 10 a.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the radio wavesensor according to the embodiment.

The radio wave sensor 70 is, for example, a doppler sensor utilizing thedoppler effect. In the example, the radio wave sensor 70 includes aradio wave transmitter/receiver 72 and a controller 74.

The radio wave transmitter/receiver 72 includes, for example, a circuitand detects the detection object (the user) by radiating a highfrequency radio wave such as a microwave, a millimeter wave, or thelike, and receives the reflected wave from the detection object.Information that relates to the state of the detection object isincluded in the reflected wave.

The controller 74 is a circuit board in which a control circuit such asa microcomputer or the like is formed; and the controller 74 includes ametal (e.g., copper, aluminum, etc.). The controller 74 determines thestate of the detection object based on the radio wave radiated by theradio wave transmitter/receiver 72 and the reflected wave received bythe radio wave transmitter/receiver 72 and outputs, to the controlcircuit 32, a signal relating to the determination result (i.e., thedetection result of the radio wave sensor 70). Based on this signal, thecontrol circuit 32 opens and closes the toilet seat 10, opens and closesthe toilet lid 15, flushes the toilet 150, heats the toilet seat 10,performs the operation control of the first nozzle 34, performs theoperation control of the flow channel switching unit 38, etc.

In this specification, the range of the “state of the detection object”determined by the controller 74 includes at least one of the presence orabsence of the detection object or the movement (whether or not there ismovement, the movement direction, the speed, etc.) of the detectionobject. The range of the “state of the detection object” may include notonly the user approaching and moving away but also being seated andrising.

The radio wave transmitter/receiver 72 is mounted to be connected to thecontroller 74. The radio wave transmitter/receiver 72 and the controller74 are stored inside a case 76 as one module. The radio wave sensor 70is fixed inside the casing 21 of the main part 20. The position and theorientation of the radio wave sensor 70 do not change between the statein which the toilet seat 10 and the toilet lid 15 are open and the statein which the toilet seat 10 and the toilet lid 15 are closed. That is,the direction (the maximum directivity direction) in which the radiowave is radiated from the radio wave sensor 70 does not change even whenthe toilet seat 10 and/or the toilet lid 15 are opened and closed.

The maximum directivity direction of the radio wave means the directionin which a maximum value occurs in the intensity distribution of theradiated radio wave. In the embodiment, a maximum directivity directionD of the radio wave radiated from the radio wave sensor 70 (referring toFIG. 5) is a direction toward the front and is oriented upward from thehorizontal direction. In the case where a radio wave that has maximumvalues in multiple directions is radiated from the radio wave sensor 70,it is sufficient for at least one of the multiple directions to betilted toward the upper side of the horizontal direction.

As shown in FIG. 2, the radio wave sensor 70 is disposed above the airsupply unit 40. The radio wave sensor 70 is positioned further frontwardthan the toilet lid opening/closing part 60 and is positioned furtherrearward than the toilet seat opening/closing part 50.

The configuration of the water system (the flow channels of the water,the warm water heater 30, etc.) and the control circuit 32 are providedon the right of the first nozzle 34; and the configuration of the airsupply system (the air supply unit 40, a deodorizing unit (notillustrated), etc.), the toilet seat opening/closing part 50, and thetoilet lid opening/closing part 60 are provided on the left of the firstnozzle 34. The radio wave sensor 70 is provided on the side opposite tothe configuration of the water system when viewed from the first nozzle34. Thereby, the reflecting or the blocking of the radio wave from theradio wave sensor 70 by the water can be suppressed; and the obstructionof the transmission and reception of the radio wave can be suppressed.Also, the effects on the radio wave sensor 70 of the electromagneticnoise emitted by the control circuit 32 can be suppressed.

FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating a part of the sanitary washing deviceaccording to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a part of the sanitarywashing device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged vicinity of the radio wave sensor 70. FIG. 5shows a cross section along line A-A shown in FIG. 4.

The toilet seat opening/closing part 50 is positioned at the front ofthe toilet lid opening/closing part 60. The toilet seat opening/closingpart 50 and the toilet lid opening/closing part 60 each include a metalmember. The metal member may be any metal such as aluminum, copper, etc.Also, a resin, etc., may be included in a part of the toilet seatopening/closing part 50 and the toilet lid opening/closing part 60.

As shown in FIG. 5, the height (the position in the up/down direction)of at least a part of the radio wave sensor 70 is substantially the sameas the height of at least a part of the toilet lid opening/closing part60. In other words, at least a part of the radio wave sensor 70 overlapsat least a part of the toilet lid opening/closing part 60 in thehorizontal direction. In other words, when viewed from the side as inFIG. 5, at least a part of the radio wave sensor 70 is disposed withinthe area of the toilet lid opening/closing part 60 projected frontward.

As described above, the radio wave sensor 70 radiates the radio wavemainly toward the front. There are cases where a part of the radio waveradiated frontward from the radio wave sensor 70 is reflected by themain part 20 and/or the toilet seat 10 and undesirably returns rearward.Therefore, the detection accuracy of the radio wave sensor 70 frontwardmay decrease. Here, the toilet seat opening/closing part 50 and thetoilet lid opening/closing part 60 include a metal. Therefore, thetoilet seat opening/closing part 50 and the toilet lid opening/closingpart 60 reflect the radio wave. In the embodiment, by arranging thetoilet lid opening/closing part 60 and the radio wave sensor 70 asdescribed above, a part of the radio wave radiated frontward from theradio wave sensor 70 and returned rearward is reflected frontward by thetoilet lid opening/closing part 60. That is, a part of the radio wavereturned rearward is again returned frontward. Thereby, the decrease ofthe detection accuracy can be suppressed because the radio wave can becaused to propagate frontward of the main part with a minimum loss.

The height of at least a part of the radio wave sensor 70 issubstantially the same as the height of at least a part of the toiletseat opening/closing part 50. In other words, at least a part of theradio wave sensor 70 overlaps at least a part of the toilet seatopening/closing part 50 in the horizontal direction. In other words, atleast a part of the radio wave sensor 70 is disposed within the area ofthe toilet seat opening/closing part 50 projected rearward when viewedfrom the side as in FIG. 5.

The toilet seat opening/closing part 50 is provided at a position thatis lower than the toilet lid opening/closing part 60. That is, an upperend 50U of the toilet seat opening/closing part 50 is positioned lowerthan an upper end 60U of the toilet lid opening/closing part 60.Thereby, the obstruction by the toilet seat opening/closing part 50 ofthe propagation of the radio wave radiated from the radio wave sensor 70and reflected frontward by the toilet lid opening/closing part 60 can besuppressed. Thereby, the user can be detected more efficiently.

As shown in FIG. 4, the position of the radio wave sensor 70 is shiftedin the left/right direction with respect to the positions of the toiletseat opening/closing part 50 and the toilet lid opening/closing part 60.In other words, at least a part of the radio wave sensor 70 does notoverlap the toilet seat opening/closing part 50 and the toilet lidopening/closing part 60 in the frontward/rearward direction when viewedfrom above. In the example, the radio wave transmitter/receiver 72 ofthe radio wave sensor 70 is disposed further rightward than the toiletseat opening/closing part 50 and the toilet lid opening/closing part 60.Thus, by shifting in the left/right direction, the obstruction by theradio wave sensor 70 itself of the frontward propagation of the radiowave radiated from the radio wave sensor 70 and reflected by the toiletlid opening/closing part 60 can be suppressed.

In the state in which the toilet seat 10 is closed as shown in FIG. 4and FIG. 5, a circuit board 41 is provided between the toilet seat 10and the radio wave sensor 70. In the example, the circuit board 41 is acircuit that controls the operation of the heater of the air supply unit40 based on the signal from the control circuit 32 of the main part 20.The circuit board 41 includes a metal member. The metal member may beany metal such as aluminum, copper, etc.

For example, if the arrangement of the radio wave sensor isinappropriate, there are cases where the radio wave that is radiatedfrom the radio wave transmitter/receiver is blocked, reflected, orrefracted by a member (a resin or a metal member of the heater) of thesanitary washing device; thereby, the radio wave does not propagateeasily toward the user. Therefore, there is a risk that the accuracy ofdetecting the user may decrease. In particular, the propagation of theradio wave radiated from the radio wave sensor may be obstructed by theresin forming the toilet seat and/or the metal heater provided in theinterior of the toilet seat in the case where the toilet seat ispositioned at the front of the radio wave sensor.

Conversely, in the embodiment as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the circuitboard 41 that includes the metal member is positioned between the toiletseat 10 and the radio wave sensor 70 (the radio wavetransmitter/receiver 72) at the rear part of the toilet seat 10. Thecircuit board 41 is disposed at the vicinity of the radio wave sensor 70so that the circuit board 41 reflects the radio wave radiated from theradio wave sensor 70 and propagating toward the toilet seat 10 in thestate in which the toilet seat 10 is closed. Thereby, the obstruction bythe toilet seat 10 of the propagation of the radio wave radiated fromthe radio wave sensor 70 can be suppressed.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the upper part (an edge part 41 fat the front) of the circuit board 41 is disposed to overlap the lowerpart of the radio wave sensor 70 in the frontward/rearward direction. Anedge part 41 r at the rear of the circuit board 41 is disposed not tooverlap the lower part of the radio wave sensor 70 in thefrontward/rearward direction. That is, the circuit board 41 is disposedto be tilted with respect to the frontward/rearward direction.

The maximum directivity direction D of the radio wave radiated from theradio wave sensor is oriented upward from the horizontal direction. Themaximum directivity direction D passes above the circuit board 41. Forexample, an upper surface 41U of the circuit board 41 is disposed to bealigned with the maximum directivity direction D. The state of the uppersurface 41U being aligned with the maximum directivity direction D is astate in which the angle between the upper surface 41U and the maximumdirectivity direction D is, for example, 10° or less. In the exampleshown in FIG. 5, the upper surface 41U is parallel to the maximumdirectivity direction D. The upper surface 41U is the major surface ofthe substrate where the circuit is formed.

By such an arrangement, the radio wave that is radiated in the maximumdirectivity direction D from the radio wave sensor 70 can propagatewithout being incident on the circuit board 41. Also, because the radiowave that is radiated downward from the horizontal direction from theradio wave sensor 70 is reflected upward and frontward by the circuitboard 41, the radio wave does not propagate downward easily and is noteasily incident on the toilet seat 10. Thereby, the radio wave is causedto propagate more easily toward the user; and the decrease of thedetection accuracy can be suppressed.

As shown in FIG. 5, a part 10 r at the rear part of the toilet seat 10overlaps the lower part of the radio wave sensor 70 and the edge part 41r at the rear of the circuit board 41 in the frontward/rearwarddirection in the state in which the toilet seat 10 is closed. Also, themaximum directivity direction D passes above the toilet seat 10.Thereby, the radio wave that is radiated in the maximum directivitydirection D from the radio wave sensor 70 is not incident on the toiletseat 10. Accordingly, the radio wave propagates easily toward the user;and the decrease of the detection accuracy can be suppressed.

As in a toilet seat 10A shown by the single dot-dash line in FIG. 5, thetoilet seat may be provided to be relatively lower than the circuitboard 41 so that the extension line (an extension plane F) of the uppersurface 41U of the circuit board 41 does not cross the toilet seat 10.Thereby, the incidence on the toilet seat 10A of the radio wave radiatedfrom the radio wave sensor 70 and reflected by the circuit board 41 issuppressed. The radio wave propagates easily toward the user; and thedecrease of the detection accuracy can be suppressed.

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are plan views illustrating a part of the sanitarywashing device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a part of the sanitarywashing device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B show an enlarged vicinity of the first nozzle 34.FIG. 6A is the state in which the first nozzle 34 is contracted andstored inside the casing 21 of the main part 20. FIG. 6B is the state inwhich the first nozzle 34 is elongated and advanced from the casing 21of the main part 20.

FIG. 7 shows a cross section along line B-B shown in FIG. 6A. Some ofthe components are not illustrated in FIG. 7 for easier viewing.

The main part 20 includes multiple first nozzle hoses 37. The firstnozzle hoses 37 each are connected to the first nozzle 34 and the flowchannel switching unit 38 and supply the water from the flow channelswitching unit 38 to the first nozzle 34. The multiple first nozzlehoses 37 are multiple flow channels (the bottom wash flow channel andthe bidet wash flow channel) that guide the water to the multiple waterdischarge ports 34 e.

The main part 20 includes a second nozzle hose 33. The second nozzlehose 33 is connected to the second nozzle 36 and the flow channelswitching unit 38 and supplies the water from the flow channel switchingunit 38 to the second nozzle 36. The second nozzle hose 33 is the sprayflow channel that guides the water to the second nozzle 36.

The flow channel switching unit 38 includes a rotor 38 a having multipleholes through which the water passes, and a motor 38 b that rotates therotor 38 a. The hole through which the water passes is switched byrotating the rotor 38 a by an operation of the motor 38 b. Thereby, theflow channel switching unit 38 can switch the flow channel of the waterflowing toward the first nozzle 34 or the second nozzle 36. That is, theflow channel switching unit 38 selects the hose among the multiple firstnozzle hoses 37 and the second nozzle hose 33 through which the water iscaused to flow. For example, the flow channel switching unit 38 canswitch between the state in which the water flows into the first nozzle34 (the first nozzle hoses 37) and the state in which the water flowsinto the second nozzle 36 (the second nozzle hose 33) by the operationof the motor 38 b.

There are cases where the motor 38 b of the flow channel switching unit38 is operated when the radio wave sensor 70 detects the user.“Detecting the user” may include not only detecting the existence and/orthe operation of the user but also detecting the nonexistence of theuser.

For example, when the radio wave sensor 70 detects the user entering theroom and/or being seated, the control circuit 32 operates the motor 38 band switches the flow channel to spray water from the second nozzle 36and/or discharge, into the bowl, water that remains inside the main part20.

Also, for example, when the radio wave sensor 70 detects the userexiting the room and/or rising from the seat, the control circuit 32operates the motor 38 b and switches the flow channel to wash the firstnozzle 34 by discharging water from the nozzle wash chamber 39 or thewater discharge port 34 e of the first nozzle 34. At this time, forexample, the first nozzle 34 is in the state of being stored inside thecasing 21.

Or, when the radio wave sensor 70 detects the user exiting the roomand/or rising from the seat, the control circuit 32 operates the motor38 b and sprays water from the second nozzle 36 into the bowl 151. Insuch a case, the flow channel switching unit 38 switches to the state inwhich water flows toward the second nozzle 36 in the state in which thefirst nozzle 34 is stored in the main part 20.

Thus, the motor 38 b is operated when the radio wave sensor 70 detectsthe user. At this time, there is a risk that the detection accuracy ofthe radio wave sensor 70 may decrease due to the radio wave (theelectromagnetic noise) generated by the operation of the motor 38 b.

Conversely, in the embodiment, the first nozzle 34 is positioned betweenthe radio wave sensor 70 and the motor 38 b in the width direction ofthe first nozzle 34. In other words, the position in the left/rightdirection of the first nozzle 34 is between the position in theleft/right direction of the radio wave sensor 70 and the position in theleft/right direction of the motor 38 b. Therefore, the electromagneticnoise that is generated by the operation of the motor 38 b is reflectedby the first nozzle 34 and/or the water of the interior of the firstnozzle 34. Thereby, the electromagnetic noise from the motor 38 breaching the radio wave sensor 70 is suppressed; and the decrease of thedetection accuracy can be suppressed.

For example, when the radio wave sensor 70 detects the user rising fromthe seat when the water is being discharged from the first nozzle 34,the control circuit 32 operates the motor 38 b, stops the waterdischarge from the first nozzle 34, and stores the first nozzle 34inside the main part 20 (the casing 21). Or, when the radio wave sensor70 detects the user being seated, if the user instructs to switchbetween the bidet wash and the bottom wash from the remote control, thecontrol circuit 32 operates the motor 38 b of the flow channel switchingunit 38 and switches the flow channel of the water flowing toward thefirst nozzle 34. In such cases, a part of the first nozzle 34 advancesinto the bowl 151 when the motor 38 b is operated.

When the first nozzle 34 advances into the bowl 151, there is also arisk that the electromagnetic noise from the motor 38 b toward the radiowave sensor 70 may not be easily reflected by the first nozzle 34.

Conversely, in the embodiment, the first nozzle hose 37 is connected atthe rear of the first nozzle 34. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6B, atleast a part of the first nozzle hose 37 is positioned at the rear ofthe first nozzle 34. In the state in which the first nozzle 34 isadvanced frontward from the main part 20, the first nozzle hose 37 ispositioned between the radio wave sensor 70 and the motor 38 b. Thereby,even in the state in which the first nozzle 34 is advanced frontwardfrom the main part 20, due to the water existing inside the first nozzlehose 37, the electromagnetic noise from the motor 38 b reaching theradio wave sensor 70 can be suppressed; and the decrease of thedetection accuracy can be suppressed.

As shown in FIG. 7, at least a part of the radio wave sensor 70 ispositioned higher than a part 34 a of the first nozzle 34. Also, atleast a part of the motor 38 b is positioned lower than the part 34 a ofthe first nozzle 34. Thereby, the electromagnetic noise from the motor38 b reaching the radio wave sensor 70 can be suppressed not only in thewidth direction of the main part 20 (the left/right direction) but alsoin the up/down direction.

FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are cross-sectional views illustrating the sanitarywashing device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates the state in which the toilet seat 10 is closed; andFIG. 9 illustrates the state in which the toilet seat 10 is open. Thetoilet lid 15 is in the open state in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9.

In the state in which the toilet seat 10 is closed as shown in FIG. 8,the maximum directivity direction D of a radio wave TW radiated from theradio wave sensor 70 passes above the toilet seat 10. In the state inwhich the toilet seat 10 is closed, the radio wave TW is radiated in arange including a first region R1, and a second region R2 that is higherthan the first region R1. Thereby, the radio wave sensor 70 can detectthe user existing in at least one of the first region R1 or the secondregion R2. The first region R1 is, for example, a part of the regionthat is lower than the maximum directivity direction D. The secondregion R2 is, for example, a part of the region that is higher than themaximum directivity direction D.

In the state in which the toilet seat 10 is open as shown in FIG. 9, themaximum directivity direction D passes below the toilet seat 10.

The toilet lid 15, the contour of the toilet seat 10, and the casing 21of the main part 20 include materials such as resins, etc., that easilytransmit radio waves. On the other hand, a metal (e.g., the metal member10 a in the toilet seat 10 interior or the like) reflects radio waveswithout transmitting. Therefore, the radio wave that passes below thetoilet seat 10 propagates frontward as-is; but a part of the radio waveincident on the toilet seat 10 is reflected by the metal member 10 a anddoes not propagate frontward. As a result, in the state in which thetoilet seat 10 is open, the radio wave TW is radiated in the firstregion R1 but is not radiated in the second region R2 shown in FIG. 8.

In other words, the first region R1 is a region where the propagation ofthe radio wave TW is not obstructed by the toilet seat 10; and thesecond region R2 is a region where the propagation of the radio wave TWis blocked by the open toilet seat 10. In the state in which the toiletseat 10 is open, the user that is in front of the main part 20 is notdetected in the second region R2 by the radio wave sensor; and the userthat is in front of the main part 20 is detected in the first region R1by the radio wave sensor. On the other hand, in the state in which thetoilet seat 10 is closed, the user that is in front of the main part 20is detected in the first region R1 and the second region R2 by the radiowave sensor 70.

A faint radio wave may be radiated in the second region R2. In otherwords, here, the radio wave not being radiated in the second region R2includes the case where a faint radio wave that is insufficient todetect a human body is radiated in the second region R2 in addition tothe case where no radio waves are radiated in the second region R2.

Generally, the operation of the user standing in front of the opentoilet seat is small compared to the operation of the user entering andexiting the toilet room. For example, the user that is performingstanding urination substantially does not move in front of the toilet.Therefore, there are cases where the detecting of the standing urinationoperation of the user is relatively difficult. If the movement of theuser performing standing urination cannot be detected, there is a riskthat it may be detected that the use of the toilet device has ended eventhough the user is performing standing urination. In the case where thetoilet device receives the detection result and flushes the toilet,opens and closes the toilet seat, etc., if there is such a misdetection,there is a possibility that the toilet may be flushed or the toilet seatand/or the toilet lid may be closed while standing urination is beingperformed. To detect the user performing standing urination, it isdesirable for the radio wave sensor to be able to detect a slightfluctuation of the user.

Therefore, a method may be considered in which the sensing sensitivityis increased by increasing the reception sensitivity of the radio waveof the radio wave sensor. However, if the sensitivity is increased,there is a risk that the effects of the noise also may become large; andmisdetection undesirably may occur easily. If the radio wave sensor isundesirably affected by the noise, a misdetection that the user existsin front of the toilet may occur even though the user does not exist infront of the toilet; and there is a possibility that the toilet may notbe flushed or the toilet seat and/or the toilet lid may not be closedeven when the user has moved away from the front of the toilet.

For example, there are cases where the radio wave that is radiated fromthe radio wave sensor is reflected by an external device (e.g., afluorescent lamp, a ventilation fan, etc.) positioned higher; and thereflected wave passes through the second region R2 toward the radio wavesensor. Such a reflected wave may cause noise when detecting the user.Also, for example, in the second region R2 that is positioned higher,radio waves other than the reflected wave of the radio wave radiatedfrom the radio wave sensor (e.g., radio waves generated outside thesanitary washing device such as by a mobile telephone or the like heldby a person standing in front of the toilet) easily propagate toward theradio wave sensor. Such a radio wave generated outside also may causenoise when detecting the user. Because the operation of the userstanding in front of the open toilet seat is relatively small, theeffects of noise become large when the toilet seat is open. Therefore,when the toilet seat is open, if the radio wave sensor is affected bynoise such as that described above, the misdetection described aboveoccurs relatively easily.

Conversely, in the embodiment, in the state in which the toilet seat 10is open, the radio wave sensor 70 does not detect the user in the secondregion R2 positioned higher. In other words, in the state in which thetoilet seat is open, the radio wave sensor 70 does not receive the radiowave passing through the second region R2 toward the radio wave sensor70. Thereby, the noise that is caused by radio waves other than thereflected wave and is generated outside the sanitary washing device canbe reduced. Also, because the radio wave that is radiated upward fromthe radio wave sensor 70 is blocked by the toilet seat 10 in the statein which the toilet seat 10 is open, the noise that is caused by areflected wave due to an external device or the like positioned highercan be reduced. Accordingly, the misdetection can be suppressed.

On the other hand, the radio wave sensor 70 detects relatively largeoperations such as the entrance and exit of the user, etc., in the statein which the toilet seat 10 is closed. Therefore, the effects of thenoise when the toilet seat 10 is closed are small compared to when thetoilet seat 10 is open. Therefore, in the state in which the toilet seat10 is closed, the radio wave sensor radiates the radio wave in the firstregion R1 and the second region R2 and detects the user in a widerrange.

If the radio wave that is radiated from the radio wave sensor toward themaximum directivity direction is incident on the toilet seat, there is arisk that the detection accuracy may decrease due to the radio wavebeing reflected. Conversely, in the embodiment, the maximum directivitydirection D passes below the toilet seat 10 in the state in which thetoilet seat 10 is open; and the maximum directivity direction D passesabove the toilet seat 10 in the state in which the toilet seat 10 isclosed. Thereby, in the state in which the toilet seat 10 is open and inthe state in which the toilet seat 10 is closed as well, it is easy toreliably detect the user that is in front of the toilet seat 10. Also,in the state in which the toilet seat is open, the radio wave thatpropagates above the maximum directivity direction D is blocked by thetoilet seat 10. Thereby, the noise that is caused by the radio wavepropagating above the maximum directivity direction D can be reduced.

For example, the radio wave sensor 70 is disposed more proximal to thetoilet seat opening/closing part 50 than to the toilet lidopening/closing part 60. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a distance L1between the radio wave sensor 70 and the toilet seat opening/closingpart 50 is shorter than a distance L2 between the radio wave sensor 70and the toilet lid opening/closing part 60. Also, for example, adistance L3 between the radio wave transmitter/receiver 72 and thetoilet seat opening/closing part 50 is shorter than a distance L4between the radio wave transmitter/receiver 72 and the toilet lidopening/closing part 60. Thus, by disposing the radio wave sensor 70 ina position proximal to the toilet seat opening/closing part 50, i.e., aposition proximal to the toilet seat 10, the region can be narrow wherethe radio wave from the radio wave sensor 70 is blocked by the toiletseat 10 in the state in which the toilet seat 10 is open.

The embodiments of the invention have been described above. However, theinvention is not limited to the above description. Those skilled in theart can appropriately modify the above embodiments, and suchmodifications are also encompassed within the scope of the invention aslong as they include the features of the invention. For instance, theshape, dimension, material, arrangement, installation configuration andthe like of various components in the sanitary washing device 100, thetoilet device 200 and the like are not limited to those illustrated, butcan be modified appropriately.

Furthermore, various components in the above embodiments can be combinedwith each other as long as technically feasible. Such combinations arealso encompassed within the scope of the invention as long as theyinclude the features of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sanitary washing device, comprising: a main part including a first nozzle discharging water toward a human private part, and a flow channel switching unit including a motor and switching a flow channel of water flowing toward the first nozzle by an operation of the motor; and a radio wave sensor provided in an interior of the main part, the radio wave sensor using a radio wave to detect a user in front of the main part, the radio wave sensor including a radio wave transmitter/receiver radiating the radio wave and receiving the radio wave reflected by the user, and a controller determining a state of the user based on the radio wave received by the radio wave transmitter/receiver and outputting, to the main part, a signal relating to a determination result, the main part controlling an operation of the flow channel switching unit and the first nozzle based on the signal, the first nozzle being positioned between the radio wave sensor and the motor in a width direction of the first nozzle.
 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the main part further includes a second nozzle discharging water into a bowl of a toilet, the main part being mounted to the toilet, the flow channel switching unit is configured to switch, by an operation of the motor, between a state in which water flows toward the first nozzle and a state in which water flows toward the second nozzle, and the flow channel switching unit switches to the state in which water flows toward the second nozzle in a state in which the first nozzle is stored in the main part.
 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the radio wave sensor is positioned higher than a part of the first nozzle, and at least a part of the motor is positioned lower than the part of the first nozzle.
 4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the main part further includes a first nozzle hose connected to the first nozzle, the first nozzle hose supplying water to the first nozzle, at least a part of the first nozzle hose is positioned at a rear of the first nozzle, and the at least a part of the first nozzle hose is positioned between the radio wave sensor and the motor in a state in which the first nozzle is advanced frontward from the main part. 